Jeralean Talley lives in the suburbs of Detroit (Michigan), she had never smoked, never drank alcohol and had been playing bowling until the age of 104, she told journalists

NEW YORK, April 7. /TASS/.The title of the world's oldest person has been passed down to the 115-year old American citizen Jeralean Talley after the news of the death of her 116-year old compatriot Getrude Weaver was broken on Monday, the International Gerontology Research Group said in its report.

Jeralean Talley lives in the suburbs of Detroit (Michigan). She was born on May 23, 1899. The world's oldest person has been looking forward for the celebration of her 116th birthday due next month.

The secret of her very long life is her strong religious faith, she told journalists last year. Nonetheless, the world's oldest woman added that she had never smoked, never drank alcohol and had been playing bowling until the age of 104. She had her throat glands removed, which was the most serious surgery in her life.

Her predecessor, Gertrude Weaver, had been the holder of the title of the world's oldest person for about a week after Misao Okawa of Japan died of heart failure on April 1 when she was approaching her 118th birthday.